Southern Expressway to open on 27th...

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Kottawa Interchange

Southern Express way will be opened for public on 27th November. Initial stage consists the way from Kottawa to Pinnaduwa, Galle which is about 105kms. From Pinnaduwa Interchange there will be 20 minutes drive to Galle. So after the opening of Southern Highway most probably Sri Lankan’s are able to reach Galle by 1 hour which was about more than 2 ½ hours drive on traditional Galle road. Southern highway will become a southern comfort for Sri Lankans in near future. 

At this phase there are 8 interchanges namely Kottawa, Kahathuduwa, Galanigama, Dodangoda, Welipenna, Kurundugahahethekma, Baddegama and Pinnaduwa. Kottawa is the key interchange which is completed partially facing the southern entrance. Highway consists of 4 lanes. Vehicles should keep in one track unless overtaking.  Around 70 billion spend for the completion. More than 500 RDA (Road Development Authority) workers have been allocated to services of highway. General safety, Fire safety and Disaster recovery activities will be handled by the Special Task Force (STF) of Sri Lanka Police and more than 500 Police officers have been allocated to do so.

Cross over: A cross over bridge near Kottawa interchange.

Kahathuduwa Interchange: Above shows the second interchange
around 6kms away from Kottawa interchange.  There 3 more
similar toll structures established in Kahathuduwa interchange.

Kottawa Interchange: Toll points at Kottawa

Next stage of Kottawa Interchange: This part will be constructed in near future to connect
Southern highway with Outer circular highway which yields to Katunayake.

Charges for Vehicles from Kottawa to Pinnaduwa:

01) Cars, Vans, Jeeps – Rs.400/-

02) Buses and Trucks – Rs.700/-

03) Axle 2 vehicles – Rs.1500/-

04) Axle 3 vehicles – Rs.2000/-

Three wheelers, tractors and motor cycles are prohibited. You will be charged Rs.5, 000/- for any kind of unauthorized entrance to the highway. Also surveillance cameras installed in the highway and near the interchanges will record any misuse and you will be charged or captured at the next exit.  There is a fence along the highway in order to protect animal trespassing across the road. This will not only help to prevent accidents but also to stop animal deaths as a conservation factor.

Sri Lankan government has published a set of rules for the highway users.

Rules:

·         Due to the prescribed speed of 100kmph all must adhere to the rule unless it may cause serious accidents.

·         No one should drive alcoholic, sleepy or tiredly.

·         Seat belts are must for highway uses both driver and passenger in front.

·         Must always use the outer lane for drive and inner lane is to overtake only.

·         If an accident occurs when switching lanes always the person who changed will be the culprit.

·         A ticket will be issued at the entrance point when you enters to the highway, and it should be kept safely and hand over to the exit point of the highway. Exit point will decide the charge and you will be given a receipt for that.

  

·     From the entrance paths from toll points to the highway the maximum travel speed is 60kmph.

If any problem or breakdown occurred while you traveling you can contact 1969 local short code and inform the issue and government officers will reach you as soon as possible. ‘

Sri Lankan government organized many public functions along the southern highway on 19^th and 20^th November in order to familiarize the highway environment among people as well as to celebrate the great achievement. Now people are counting the dates for their new oncoming travel leisure.

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